Vista Ridge, CO: Community center embraces all family members.
The times they are a' changing at today's golf course
communities. While once they were simply golf courses
with homes around them and geared mainly toward the
sport and the men players, today the emphasis is on
a sense of community and the family. And that means
not just men, but women and children members as well.
Today's buyers expect to find a lifestyle at the community
that is more diverse and well-rounded, with women in
particular finally having their the tastes served and
their preferences recognized. Media outlets geared
toward the female side of the market—Golf for Women
magazine, for example—make a point of evaluating
golf resorts and golf communities in terms of how
well they appeal to that audience.
Emphasis on Community
In addition, greater emphasis on "community"
means providing programs and facilities that bring
families together for quality time and "memory
making." Learning about nature and the outdoors
with a staff naturalist is a typical example of the
organized togetherness now being promoted. That
sort of opportunity can bridge multiple generations,
inspiring a greater sense of community within one's
own family.
Women sizing up a golf community are also looking
for programs their children can do on their own—swim
lessons, kids clubs and camps—so that Mom can take
time out for cooking class, computer club or a
relaxing half-day at the spa.
Golf for Women
Of course, many women living in golf communities
are golf nuts themselves, and expect the courses,
clubhouses, locker rooms and lounges at top-tier
golf communities to accommodate women as
luxuriously and spaciously as they accommodate men.
And increasingly, they do. Where do you find these
communities? See below as the first installment in
our new, multi-part series, "Women- and Family-
Friendly Golf Communities," begins.
COLORADO: Vista Ridge, Erie
The accolades have been generous for this mountain
community’s golf program. Designed with families
in mind, Vista Ridge offers all the amenities of a five-
star resort including spectacular mountain views
and miles of parks and trails. Recently, the community
was named the “Most Female Friendly” Golf Course
in the annual readers-choice awards conducted by
Colorado Avid Golfer magazine in recognition of
such Vista Ridge features as year-round women’s
clinics, a women’s golf league, Moms Play Free policy
on Mother’s Day (the course is public) and a course
design with six sets of tees and generous wide
landing areas for drives and long approach shots.
FLORIDA: Willoughby Golf Club
Given the wide array of special golf experiences
that Willoughby offers its women members, the
members at this Treasure Coast community must
need their clubs regripped regularly. Events include
a 60-member, 18-hole group and a 70-member nine-
hole group with both holding weekly competitions.
Ladies Day on Thursdays offers a wide variety of
tournaments including Rally for the Cure, a
Grandmothers Tournament, Guest Days and other
team and individual events.
Willoughby also participates in a four-club Fun
Interclub League, a four-club Competitive Interclub
League and also sends teams to the 18-club Treasure
Coast Challenge Cup. Club events include a Member-
Member Tournament, Club Championship and Ladies
Cup. Mixed events include a one-day mixed member
guest days, Mars vs. Venus Tournament and a three-
day mixed member guest weekend each spring.
VIRGINIA: Belmont Country Club
The lifestyle of the woman golfer at Belmont suits
the serious golfer who is also into fitness, fashion
and fun/socializing. The community’s golf calendar
for women covers the spectrum from beginner
clinics to the member-member championship and
from trunk shows of the latest golfwear to seminars
on the rules of golf and intelligent “course management.”
Belmont competitions and fun participation days in
both tennis and weight training are also part of the
regime. To unwind, Belmont CC women get together
for Ladies’ Night Out, a Mother’s Day Spa Brunch,
a regular Mom’s Group and the Bridge Club.
NORTH CAROLINA: St. James Plantation, Southport
At St. James Plantation, where golf shares the marquee
with recreational centers, private beach club and a full-
service marina, more than 250 women play in weekly
golf tournaments and enjoy social events sponsored
by two community golf associations. The women-only
tournaments are held every Tuesday and rotated among
the community’s four courses spread over 81 holes.
In addition, 10 major tournaments held annually at
St. James Plantation are either women-only or mixed
couples. While women are welcomed any time at the
community’s golf school, the St. James Golf Academy
also conducts two weekly schools that are reserved
exclusively for women.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach
Setting aside an age-old distinction which to many
seems no longer appropriate, this luxurious ocean-
to-Intracoastal master-planned resort community
eliminated the “women’s handicap” tees on its
new Members Club Course, instead inviting players
of both sexes to play from the tees appropriate to
their individual ability.
Nick Price and Craig Schreiner designed the new
Members Club Course with setup options that
allow all Grande Dunes members and guests to
“test their athleticism and shot-making ability
on every hole or just relax and enjoy themselves.”
